13th July: Luxembourg

Craig parked the bus near the Gëlle Fra Memorial at the Constitutional Square. We raced for the public water closet only to face this bossy lady who apparently own the institution and demanded half euro from each of us, reprimanded us into a line as she inserted our coin into the slot at the door knob and shoved us one by one into a cubicle.

I was like, wow, wow hold on! Argh she already closed the door! Huh laju gile mak cik ni. At least do so while smiling, I might obey along like a lamb.

Gëlle Fra Memorial is a World War I memorial for the thousands of Luxembourgers volunteering in the allied armed forces. There was supposed to be a gilded lady up on the top, but apparently she is now in Shanghai for the Expo 2010.

Encik Shamsul and Encik Khubaib led us across the street. We walked pass a man sitting through a telephone conversation in his car and said man was talking Arabic. Egypt colloquial, to be precise.

I truly believe Egyptians are everywhere!

We walked through William Square where it was empty of local markets, glorified with a few pigeons here and there and the town hall wasn't as bustling with life.

William II in his horseback glory was actually the King of the Netherlands and Grand Duke of Luxembourg.

We arrived a little late at where the rest of the group were. We missed the place overview by Sir Hairul, thus I was clueless.


It was a building alright, with a mini square? What am I looking at?

"Oh bangunan ni atuk aku beli dulu, lepas tu dia jual dekat pembesar-pembesar Luxembourg, sekarang dah jadi tempat tinggal diorang."

"Oh." I snickered. "Berfungsi lagi ke?"

"Haah, tu ada guard tu."

Grand Ducal Palace, the official residence of the Grand Duke of Luxembourg guarded by a single (seen) soldiers of the military of Luxembourg.

See that black Sirius-like animagus? I believe it’s a small bear. It’s too big for a dog!

Boss Hairul led us pass the Luxembourg City History Museum


and into the Corniche, marvelled as the most beautiful balcony of Europe.

And indeed, the view was magnifique! Luxembourg City being carved into cliffs and valleys is of strategic military significant. Among the UNESCO heritage site here include the casemates and fortresses used during the last world war.

The one with pointed tower, that’s the St. John Church and near it is the National Museum of National History. I think :P

Aristocratic houses.

Group pict! Haha spot meh! Owh and that’s not even everyone.
Picture stolen from Kak Faten’s FB hehe.

Overlooking the terrace and viaduct.

Encik Khubaib’s mighty Olympus versus my ciput 3.2 megapixel.
-_________-

Mak Cik Afida proud by European City of Culture.

The old quarters and fortifications earned the UNESCO world heritage site. That is Pak Cik Yen sharing his experiences with the mischievous Encik Shamsul.
No use defaming him here, I’ll get to him soon ;)

We walked pass the St. Michael’s Church, the Chemin de la Corniche and the National Museum of History and Art towards Place d’Armes with free time to browse around and poke noses at their culture.

It was lunch time thus packed.

Luxembourgers have a classic sense of humour.
Sengal! XD

Ice-blended for the summer.

And we were back to where Craig dropped us off.

Europeans cycle a lot, don’t they? I can’t even bring out the cycling topic to my old bro without getting a “You mean your flattened-tire rusty bicycle?”

They are blessed with longevity, though not as much amiability as their German cousins.

Just before climbing onto the coach, we looked down to muse at the Pétrusse Valley and the Adolphe Bridge at the end.

Pétrusse casemates.

---

On the bus though, they talked about a slightly bitter part of human attitude. Mak Cik Ena was browsing a souvenir shop when she was rudely chased out by the owner. Something about they don't sell discounted stuffs or something. Ever the good sport, she walked out not realizing her cream dropped from her handbag.

The owner kicked the cream out but it rolled by the door near Nisa and Ara. Nisa picked it up and placed it on shelf, thinking it was the owner's.

Outside, Mak Cik Ena rummaged through her bag.

"Mak cik cari krim ke?" Nisa offered.

"Haah, krim mak cik tercicir."

They went back to the shop. Mak Cik Ena asked politely to the ignorant owner who disregarded them three. Finally he turned to them, made a disgusted face and announced the cream was thrown in the trashcan as he has no use of keeping non-store item inside.

Wth???

14th and 15th July: "Nak stay takmo balik!"

After a rather heavy and hasty (on my part, sape suh lambat?) English breakfast of sausages, baked beans and mashed potato, we started our walk/climb from our Schützenbach camp to Lauterbrunnen bahn station to catch the train up to Kleine Scheidegg.

Halfway up the shortcut, there was a bench overlooking the scenic valley and being one of the earliest to be up there, I could see the rest of our group huffing up the trail.

Picture stolen from Kak Faten's FB haha.

"Boleh duduk kat sini kalau nak," Encik Hairul the convoy boss said.

I immediately rose to the occasion and kicked my heals around humming contently.

He continued in between chuckling, "Tapi untuk orang tua je la."

Our group laughed.

Mak Cik Afida was just about to sit when I scrambled up. "Eh kenapa?"

"Kerusi tu untuk orang tua je," I blurted out.

"Hah?"

Our group boomed in laughter.

"Eh Encik Hairul yang cakap!" I whined innocently!

---

Out from the trail and there was the main road to the right, left and straight ahead. Encik Hairul led the way across the street and onto the path straight ahead.

Obediently I followed.

"Percaya je cakap orang," He smugly made a u-turn towards the earlier right.

"Argh!"

Tahniah selamat sampai station bahn.
Owh and my name is Nur, of course I'm all bercahaya whatsit.

---

The bahn to Jungfraujoch from Kleine Scheidegg.

View from Eismeer Station at 10368 ft.

The white wall behind me is actually the clouds. And it's not really that cold up there. Maximum temperature of 5 degrees during that time and wind up to 50km/h I think.
Those people even brought their dog out on the plateau.

When the clouds move out of the way, you can see the valley way down below.

The walk-through freezer of Ice Palace inside the mountain, where they display sculptors of penguins and seals and igloos and don't they have rabbits in the Arctic?

Sphinx Terrace at 11760 ft. It was cold and scary fun I prayed hard I won't wobble and fall. Hyper people tend to do just that.

View down from Sphinx Terrace.

Croc on ice yeah!~

Snow-fun trail at Jungfraujoch where people trek towards the Monchsjoch Hut, amuse the sledge dogs or play at ski and snowboard park. Or stumble around like a penguin like what yours truly did in her Croc.

Vanilla ice cream for lunch after coming down from Jungfraujoch, before wandering off the untouched beauty of Kleine Scheidegg.

Played with kakak-kakak masters engineering from Dublin in Kleine Scheidegg. They are awesome cool with humour and Bollywood poses.

Emerald green valley of Kleine Scheidegg.

---

I've always had a soft spot for nature, thus really love being in Switzerland. From the Kleine Scheidegg station you can see the huge lake with dainty wooden settlements build sparingly around it, the emerald green valleys and the snowy topped mountains. Everything of nature in contrast yet magnificently complemented each other.

It's indescribable. No camera can capture its beauty and do justice. I tried to stay as long as possible to commit and burn everything to memory, yet the vividness is not a dip compared to the real thing.

Oh and my eyes watered on the way down. Allah the Almighty, the Creator of everything, the Only One to be worshiped. I have the gift of vision and the opportunity to land my Croc here, yet I sin despite His never-ending blessings.

I will go there again.

---

That night we had nasi lemak for dinner, so you can imagine the amount of energy I built up. Encik Hairul suggested we go up the Staubbach waterfall before it turn dusk.

We walked up through the crazy golf area (originally Sir Janggut here was supposed to treat us to a game, but he thought the place was already closed when we came down. It actually closes an hour later.), a graveyard and at the corner, I saw a small dog without a leash to our right.

Eh no, that's a cat! Wow a big one, I haven't seen a cat since Cairo! I was giddy with excitement and called out for Kak Izzati.

"Ye pergi kanan, pastu masuk kiri dekat kereta hijau tu," Encik Khubaib said.

Yay can go near that cat!

Encik Khubaib brought the group to the left.

"Argh kene tipu lagi!"

View from behind the waterfall. The water coming down is the Staubbach itself, gaining volume as the rain fall. The streak of white on your upper right is the river forming down below.

Misty morning after last night's rain.

Our coach overlooking the Staubbach waterfall by day. See Encik Shamsul diligently packing our bags inside the coach.

Thunersee, or Lake Thun which is one of the two large lake lying at the foot of the mountains. It took a lot to remember I will taint the family name by jumping into the crystal clear water.

The Cairo students with the iron ladies and their kids.

Of course, people go here to camwhore XD

And we continued our journey to France. No one get to stay, sobs.

I Left My Heart in Switzerland

Aslmwbt. Hi, I'm back. Already missing the trip; the people I met,

Our trustworthy convoy crew, En. Khubaib and En. Shamsul.
Don't underestimate them, they know the world beyond the dining tent.

the places I went,

Lavender patch at Jardin de Tuileries, Paris.

the rabbits and seagulls I amused.

Seagull overlooking Calais, France.

Had much fun and felt tremendously lighter. I will meet them again and I will go there again, insyaAllah I will.

Will write properly about them soon.

Kleinn Scheidegg, Switzerland.

i am off [soon]

just a quick goodbye. please take care. and i really mean it.

rai, jaga diri.

najiha, i really wish i could see you; i haven't in a long time. no i don't miss you though.

kak bid, you know you're tougher than every obstacles Allah tests you with.

akihana, please keep blossoming those pink flowers. ukki deer, try not to prick raja when she comes around to water you.

and you, enjoy the holls and please take care. :)

and please forgive me, all of you. for all the wrong doings i did. all the feelings i messed with, and all the jokes that were too much. and the misunderstandings i initiated due to excessive talking or complete silence or eerie Sai-like smiles and whatsit.

okay i'm off. actually the flight is at 4am (GMT+3) and the driver is coming at 11pm, but the laptop has to be stowed now.

i hope i will see you guys soon.

We're Coming!

Me and two of my friends (Ara and Nisa) are going to travel the Europe for the summer holiday. Our itineraries are as follows:

6 Jul: Cairo - Munich
7 Jul: Munich - London
10-18 Jul: Five countries with Kelana Convoy.
19 Jul: London - Munich
20 Jul: Munich - Cairo

27 Jul: Cairo - Malaysia

InsyaAllah those are the plans. If any of you guys wanted anything specific, let me know ASAP. Email me, YM, or just leave a comment here or at the shoutbox on the right hand side.

Last words

Forgive me for all the sins and wrongdoings I did, and all the tremendous hak-hak yang tak tertunai. Sorry for being a lousy daughter, sister, niece, cousin, friend, junior, subordinate, neighbour, and everything.

Urm, yeah. If I owe you guys anything (cash, beef, etc) lemme know :D

Pray for us. Thanks!

p/s: Well, if anything goes wrong with my budget or something, Along, please feel free to deposit some cash into my HSBC kktymuahhbb.

what happened on 010710

oh hi. am i missed? i hope not. there are so much better things to do, books to tackle, and something special to plan.

we're down to our last oral exam, anatomy, and i am fairly calm. i am not sure whether that's a bliss or a curse disguising.

a few days back i had a major case of nutcrack prior to histology oral which was practically baseless. even got around to sms-ing my parents and fretting somewhere on the abnormal site.

and man, i received no mercy whatsoever! my parents didn't reply on the whim, a senior virtually whacked me up my head and the daredevil who broke a leg by slamming into a lorry jested about my prowess in answering the wrong question right.

(wow, blatantly mentioning people in blog now, are we?)

sigh. okay so i was asking for it. i hate getting worked up for whatever reason. it's.. draining, to say the least.

that is why i am looking forward to 6th july. we're going somewhere new and fairly adventurous, pray everything goes well.

just study and enjoy your coming holiday but remember to keep in touch.

-latest sms from dad-

-____- makhluk ni lembab sikit bab-bab telefon rumah.

p/s: if anyone was curious, this blog was on hiatus until i could regain some sense of normalcy. did a few cobweb-sweeping and voila! the eden is back for the time being.

Epic

I thank all for the prayers and the pat on the back, though I surmised what I needed was a well-placed kick to rub brain cells together, to spark electricity. Yeah.

Also many thanks to everyone for amusing me this couple of days now. Dears, deers, seniors, peers, and juniors alike. I appreciate. Allah bless.

p/s: This is long overdue.

What Happened on 120108

I picked up something nasty while doing my spring cleaning, something horrifying and tested the basis of my sanity, if not my existence lol. Proceed at own risk.

You can still back out now. No one's going to hold anything against you.

---

"About our plan to hang out?"

"Yeah?"

"Well, make it at my place. I’ve got four Die Hard DVDs and I plan on doing a marathon."

"Die Hard? I don’t fancy a bald Willis."

"Me neither. But I’m cool as long as it’s Willis."

"What about The Kid?"

"Now you remind me. I love that smile of his in that movie! So innocently cute for a guy his age!"

-______- "Please, I haven’t had my lunch and puking will only makes my stomach hold a grudge against me."

"And his last line in The Sixth Sense? 'Good night, sweetheart'? That was totally awwwe."

"Spare my ears, Colonel Ogle."

"Whateve~ You bring the popcorn. I want plain. Bring some milk, will ya? I spy only one carton of it in the fridge."

"Demanding. Difficult. Why did I even bother with you?"

"I’m a Choleric. This is what we do. What else? Oh, yes. Just come after Isya’ and we’ll have a sleepover. Then we wake up for Qiam and you can get off my back! How does that sounds?"

"Like a pain."

"I know you’ll see it my way!"

Panda Eyed

Obata believes that having black eyes usually makes a character goofier, but the bags "sharpen the character's gaze." Obata believes that the design evokes "a feeling of mystery" and that the reader cannot determine L's true thoughts.

In addition Obata said that the bags under L's eyes attracts speculation about L's lifestyle and past, finding them useful.

Quoted from Wikipedia

Thanks, Takeshi Obata. You make my bags seem wondrous.

p/s:Picture credited to Tenshi-no-Hikari.

The Poo Machine

The first thing I noticed upon opening the balcony door this morning was that the mad monkey-like cackling sparrow was madder than ever. It was absolutely chirpier today and had I been a lesser person, I would have thought it was mocking my drug-induced sleep last night.

Spot the mad monkey.

The second thing I noticed was that my balcony, the one I tediously sweep once a week, was dripping gooey poo.

Argh, the stress!

A nerve twitched.

The third thing I noticed was this little critter hiding behind Yuuno's burial pot.

A petite critter messing with Yuuno's final resting place.

More poo! Argh, the stress, the stress!

Introducing the recently hatched culprit. If you can make out the yolk remains on its beak.

The darn cute poo machine

The nest in the broken lamp.

This flightless chick scurried when I got nearer for a friendly 'Hi I'm Atiqah, wanna be my breakfast?' and its mother cackled even madder, if that's even possible.

Jerry Petite

Maybe Jerry can be my new roommate?

p/s: Now to add insult to injury, ANTS ARE CREEPING AROUND THE POO! And Jerry is innocently tucking its head under its wing for a nap! *blood pressure shot up*

Flotilla the Ship

They are onboard Mavi Marmara fighting fire with prayers.

We see what they do, we update ourselves on their journey, we pray for their victory, yet do we reflect back on ourselves?

They are one step closer to Paradise, perhaps they are already there. What about us? Are we still wasting time drowning in petty sins, or are we doing our best to better ourselves?

Not equal are those believers who sit (at home) and receive no hurt, and those who strive and fight in the cause of Allah with their goods and their persons.

Allah hath granted a grade higher to those who strive and fight with their goods and persons than to those who sit (at home). Unto all (in Faith) Hath Allah promised good:

But those who strive and fight Hath He distinguished above those who sit (at home) by a special reward, ranks specially bestowed by Him, and Forgiveness and Mercy. For Allah is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful.
[An-Nisa’ : 95-96]

At the end of the day, we’re not just aiming to be a good citizen of the world. We aim to enter Paradise with pride.

Muslims everywhere are united by our one faith in Allah thus we are family. And humanity is shared among those with higher brain function.

1. Live news in English
2. IHH live stream
3. Free Gaza Movement on Twitter

Atuk

Atuk passed away this morning. He was burried after Asar. Them folks are back in Beruas, Perak.

Punch me so I can feel
Let it rain so I can ...

I will be polite out of respect, and Allah help me, I will it not to thin.

Hope the silence is sufficient.

Mak Lang

On 23rd May, Mak Lang was admitted to the hospital. Parents, Yaya and Hakim were at Shah Alam registering Amirah to her UiTM Law foundation, and Harith and Hazim were at school. The contractor friend of dad who installed our new air-conds noticed her groaning in pain with a very splitting headache and alerted dad.

Dad called for the ambulance and they soon rushed home.

Currently she is warded in USM's Neuro ICU after developing cerebellar bleeding secondary to hypertension complicated with acute hydrocephalus. She undergone an external drainage to reduce her intracranial pressure. The drain was initially filled with blood which had cleared now.

Paralyzing agents were stopped yesterday and we hope that she will wake up. However her prognosis is 50-50, and if ever she recovered will be with morbidity.

Pardon the medical jargon. Those were from dad.

Since opah passed, I come to really appreciate the family that I have. And the very limited time I have to really do good to them.

Please hang in there.

p/s: Whoever said hypertension is a small matter?

His side: Waiting for you to be back home.

As I humbly quote from a senior's YM status,

There are three sides in an argument. My side, your side, and the right side.

Here is my side.

Yesterday or so, Kak Pijot shared with us this blog post of a previous UKM doctor who migrated elsewhere due to the terrible working environment faced there. It spawned my fear, somewhat, though I realize the so-called terror of housemanship should not bother me yet, a second year medical student struggling to memorize her pre-clinical studies.

So, the spoil daughter I am, I turned to my father who himself is a doctor about the authenticity of the issue claimed by that poor doctor, and here was his lengthy reply.

Assalamualaikum Atiqah,

Thank you for asking me my comments. I read it in the news about UKM grad leaving the country for Singapore. Well, to tell you the truth... whatever was said was true... but... but it depends where you work.

I have been working since 1980. Then, was the HOs in Melaka. The only few Malay doctors then. I was greeted and treated well by my MOs and Consultants. My pay then was RM 600 increased the next few months to RM 800.

I never think about the money. I wanted to learn and I take the time to learn. Respect need to be earned not because you are a doctor. People respect a doctor because you are a doctor, not during your working hours but after hours too. I was appreciated by the senior nurses and sister and learned lot from them then.

As a MO, I was sent to Miri and Kapit before joining Melaka as a registrar in Paed.

In Sarawak, we were respected... Me then. I never regreted my posting in Sarawak. I learned from nurses, MAs and also the people. There I understand the differences between Semenanjung and Sarawak which is neglected not by us but the politicians. I cried once about commenting to a Iban police officer for delaying the visit of his ailing mother. I did not realised how far they have to travel to reach the hospital in Miri. One week from the longhouse via river provided the river is not dried... Might take 2-3 weeks... I felt sorry and lucky the humbleness of the Iban change me from a Semenanjung doctor proud with all facilities available to understand how much they need our help (till today but doctor attitude change and so are the paramedic.)

I wanted to be a paed after seeing how much neglected the people there was. Did I ever think of quititng... Never in my life. Not the money... yes... now I know why I stayed. Allah wanted me to go on. This is my challenge. Yes, Singapore and UK gave good pay and also rest day.

I did 72 hours call as an MO in Melaka. We were short of doctors. I learned the hard way and I know thus encouraging my current HOs to understand why you need to do call.

Atiqah, do not be despair with the letters and comments. I survived with the system. It was worst before yes... But improvement seen. I never expected my promotion till I retire... but I got it. I know Allah yang memberi rezeki. Apa yang kita lakukan untukNya... mendapat restu dan ganjaran yang lebih baik kelak.

Cerita dari doctor [tu] lebih mengambarkan keadaan di Universiti. I worked and learned for 5 years as a master student in UM. You may not remember... but I nearly quit... Tough... The doctor need to set the IV lines and give antibiotics. Yes that is true...your mother keep supporting me. I never had a good day, weekend in wards and evening with you all. I was exhausted...pergi kerja awal pagi dan balik akhir petang.

But you know what...I learned a lot. The system in UM is like that. Your take blood, set lines and give antibiotics. Tapi papa tak ada masalah, they helped me. Papa tak bayar lunch mereka... yang ada ketika itu ialah wajah keikhlasan seorang doktor yang ingin membantu. That is me sampai kini.

You know why I was sent to Kelantan? Papa sendiri tak pasti. KL ingat papa orang Kelantan. Kelantan, Kota Bharu in 1993, lebih kurang sama tapi better than in Sarawak.

I was shocked to see the paed wards then. Masa di UM... everything was in order. Mama minta balik, papa kata kita tenguk dulu. Setiap hari raya, papa rasa nak minta tukar... tapi I changed a lot in Kelantan. I improve my Islamic knowledge. Papa tahu setiap yang berlaku ada sebabnya....

Also sebab kenapa papa buat subspecialised in Australia. I was offered in the private hospital... I told them Thank you. I went ahead to learn in Brisbane. Hope you still remember...

Atiqah, banyak lagi yang papa nak luahkan. Do not listen to part of their grouses... yes, ada kebenaran dan ada juga tidak benar.

Yes, the system is the same. Better dah got. Pay good for all of you cuma 2 tahun HOs. Ini semua sebab ada HOs yang dari oversea (not Middle East) buat hal. Tak semua nurses macam tu... tak semua MA macam tu... yes they are more toward admin now tapi work very hard in Sarawak. Admin staff ambil tak peduli dengan claim... do not worry in Kelantan..tak ada masalah.

Mereka nak ke Singapore lebih untuk duit dan keselesaan di dunia. Kebanyakan adalah bangsa C namum dalam kes Sultan Kelantan...apa yang mereka lakukan adalah pelik... cuma nak kutip duit... ada masa untuk bercakap dengan pesakit.

My advise to you and your friends... jangan runsing... apa yang bakal berlaku ada hikmatnya. I do not know. Belajar dan balik berbakti kepada rakyat. Challenges akan timbul... papa dah pernah kena. Dimaki hamun namum papa tahu itu adalah kesilapan papa...

Now, I wanted to help not the patients... parents... but also junior doctors... and that will include you... Time off diberikan melihat kedudukan wad... ada doctor terlalu ego, itu buat paramedic marah. To me... simpan ego, then you be respected, willing to learn then you can progress... so take care...

Papa... waiting for you to be back home.


Study weh, baru boleh balik Malaysia dengan tenang.

Atiqah, do better than the best.

p/s: Dr. Mohd Hanifah Mohd Jamil is a senior consultant at Hospital Raja Perempuan Zainab II, Kota Bharu. His experience is not to be generalized and as I believe everyone is entitled to his own ideas provided he goes by Quran and Sunnah, you may leave comments.

Update:
Papa baca balik, reply... banyak mistakes lah. Sorry, masa terima email, papa rushing nak mengajar neonatal resuscitation program kepada postbasic nurses.